Chicken Cutlets: Keto-Friendly Or Not?

Chicken cutlets are a popular dish, but are they keto-friendly? The answer is yes, and there are several recipes to prove it. Chicken cutlets are typically thin slices of boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs that are seasoned, coated in batter, and then deep-fried or oven-baked. To make them keto-friendly, you can use almond flour or a combination of almond and coconut flour instead of regular flour. The chicken is then dipped in beaten eggs or a mixture of melted butter, garlic powder, salt, and pepper, and then coated in a mixture of grated parmesan cheese and almond flour. The cutlets can be baked in the oven or fried in a pan with oil or butter, resulting in a crispy, tender, and juicy dish that is perfect for an easy keto dinner.

Chicken cutlets keto recipe

Ingredients

• Chicken breasts
• Italian seasoning
• Garlic powder
• Salt and pepper
• Parmesan cheese
• Almond flour or coconut flour
• Eggs
• Olive oil, butter, avocado oil, or oil of choice

Method

• Prepare the chicken breasts by slicing them in half horizontally to make them thinner. If the chicken breasts are very thick, slice them into three slices.
• Season the chicken generously with Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
• In a medium shallow bowl, combine the parmesan cheese and almond flour.
• In another bowl, whisk the eggs.
• Dip the chicken breasts into the egg mixture, then into the parmesan mixture. Shake off any excess breading.
• Heat oil or butter in a large non-stick heavy-duty pan.
• Add the chicken cutlets to the pan in a single layer and cook for 5-6 minutes on each side, until golden and crispy. Be sure not to flip the chicken until the parmesan is golden on the first side, or it will slide off.
• Repeat with the remaining chicken cutlets.

Serving Suggestions

• For those not on a low-carb diet, this chicken goes great in a melt, in a wrap, on mashed potatoes, or with rice.
• For keto/low-carb diets, serve on a salad, with a side of cauliflower mash, steamed veggies, or with dipping sauces.

Chicken cutlets keto ingredients

Chicken cutlets are a great option for those on a keto diet. They are low-carb, crispy, and tender, and can be made in under 10 minutes. Here are the ingredients you'll need to make keto-friendly chicken cutlets:

Chicken:

The key ingredient is, of course, chicken. For cutlets, you'll want to use boneless and skinless chicken breasts. The chicken breasts should be thinly sliced, ideally pounded to a thickness of about 1/4 inch (0.5 cm). This helps the chicken cook quickly and ensures even cooking.

Breading and Coating:

To keep the chicken cutlets keto-friendly, you'll need to use alternative breading and coating options:

• Almond Flour: Almond flour is a great low-carb option for coating the chicken. It helps to create a crispy texture.
• Coconut Flour: If you don't have almond flour, you can substitute it with coconut flour or use a combination of both.
• Parmesan Cheese: Freshly grated or store-bought grated parmesan cheese is essential for the coating. It adds a delicious "Italian" flavour and helps create a golden, crispy crust. Avoid using powdered parmesan as it won't create the desired crust.
• Eggs: Eggs are used to help the coatings adhere to the chicken. However, if you don't want to use eggs, you can substitute them with melted butter, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
• Panko Breadcrumbs: While not low-carb, panko breadcrumbs can be used if you're looking for an extra crispy crust.

Seasonings:

You can get creative with the seasonings to make the chicken cutlets your own:

• Italian Seasoning
• Garlic Powder
• Salt and Pepper
• Red Chilli Flakes
• Cajun Seasoning
• Taco Seasoning

Cooking Oil:

When cooking the chicken cutlets, you can use a variety of cooking oils:

• Olive Oil
• Butter
• Avocado Oil
• Ghee

Serving Suggestions:

Depending on your dietary preferences, there are several ways to serve keto chicken cutlets:

• On a Salad
• With Roasted or Steamed Vegetables (e.g., carrots, cauliflower, broccoli)
• With Dipping Sauces (e.g., avocado tomato salsa)
• With Cauliflower Mash

Chicken cutlets keto cooking methods

Chicken cutlets are a great option for a keto meal. Here are some cooking methods to prepare delicious keto chicken cutlets.

Baked Chicken Cutlets

To make keto-friendly baked chicken cutlets, preheat your oven to 375°F or 190°C. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Brush the chicken cutlets with melted butter (optional) and season with Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. In a shallow dish, mix almond flour and grated Parmesan cheese. In another shallow bowl, whisk some eggs.

Now, dip the chicken cutlets into the egg mixture, and then into the almond flour-Parmesan mixture. Make sure to coat both sides evenly. Place the coated chicken cutlets on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown and fully cooked.

Pan-Fried Chicken Cutlets

For a quick and crispy option, you can pan-fry your chicken cutlets. Start by seasoning the chicken pieces with Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Pound the chicken breasts to a thickness of about 1/4 inch (0.5 cm). Take a shallow bowl and combine Parmesan cheese and almond flour. In another shallow bowl, whisk some eggs. You can also use butter or avocado oil instead of eggs.

Dip the chicken breasts into the egg mixture, and then coat them with the Parmesan-almond flour mixture. Heat a large non-stick pan over high heat and add oil or butter. Place the chicken cutlets in a single layer and fry for about 5-6 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and crispy.

Air-Fryer Chicken Cutlets

You can also use an air fryer to cook your chicken cutlets. Prepare the chicken cutlets in the same way as for pan-frying, by dipping them in an egg mixture and then coating them with the Parmesan-almond flour mixture. Place the coated chicken cutlets in the air fryer basket and spray them with avocado oil. Set the air fryer to 375°F and cook for about 10-12 minutes, keeping an eye on them to avoid overcooking.

Serving Suggestions

These keto chicken cutlets go well with a variety of side dishes. For a keto-friendly option, serve them with roasted vegetables like carrots, cauliflower, or steamed broccoli. You can also have them with cauliflower mash, a salad, or your favorite dipping sauces. If you're not on a strict keto diet, you can enjoy these cutlets with roasted potatoes, garlic fries, or on a bed of pasta.

Chicken cutlets keto sides

Chicken cutlets are a great option for a keto meal, especially when paired with the right sides. Here are some ideas for keto-friendly sides to accompany your chicken cutlets:

Roasted Vegetables

Roasted vegetables are a perfect keto-friendly option to serve with chicken cutlets. Some great choices include cauliflower, broccoli, carrots, and asparagus. These vegetables are not only nutritious but also complement the flavours of the chicken cutlet well.

Salads

A fresh salad is another excellent side dish to consider. You can go for a simple greens salad or get creative with an asparagus salad or quinoa tabbouleh salad. Salads provide a crunchy and refreshing contrast to the crispy chicken cutlets.

Cauliflower Mash

For a comforting and keto-approved side, cauliflower mash is a fantastic choice. It has a similar texture to mashed potatoes but with fewer carbohydrates, making it ideal for those on a keto diet.

Dipping Sauces

If you're looking for something a little different, why not try serving your chicken cutlets with a variety of dipping sauces? Options like ranch, ketchup, sweet chilli, or even a squeeze of lemon can add some extra flavour to your meal.

Steamed Vegetables

Steaming is another great way to prepare vegetables as a side dish. Steamed broccoli, in particular, is a healthy and tasty option that pairs well with chicken cutlets.

Garlic Parmesan Zoodles

For a fun and unique side dish, consider garlic parmesan zoodles. They are a keto-friendly alternative to traditional pasta and can be a delicious way to round out your meal.

Remember, when following a keto diet, it's important to focus on low-carbohydrate options. These side dishes will not only complement the flavours of your chicken cutlets but also help you stay on track with your keto goals.

Chicken cutlets keto alternatives

Chicken cutlets are a great option for a keto diet as they are low-carb and can be made in a keto-friendly way. However, if you are looking for alternatives to chicken cutlets, there are several options to choose from. Here are some keto-friendly alternatives to chicken cutlets:

• Keto Chicken Nuggets: Chicken nuggets are a great alternative to chicken cutlets, and they can be made keto-friendly by using almond flour or coconut flour for breading.
• Keto Chicken Fried Steak: This is another delicious option, similar to chicken cutlets but with a crispy, fried steak texture.
• Keto Chicken Pot Pie Soup: A comforting and tasty option, this soup is a keto-friendly twist on a classic chicken pot pie.
• Keto Jerk Chicken: For those who enjoy spicy and flavourful dishes, keto jerk chicken is a wonderful alternative.
• Keto Tuscan Chicken: This option offers a creamy and tasty twist on traditional Tuscan chicken, perfect for those following a keto diet.

These alternatives provide a variety of choices for those looking for keto-friendly options beyond chicken cutlets. Each of these dishes can be tailored to your preferences and can be served with a range of sides, such as roasted vegetables, cauliflower mash, salads, or dipping sauces.

Frequently asked questions